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Cascadia best “best-of” lists for 2017
Well, 2017 is nearly over, and before you say “thank goodness,” have a look at these lists from around the region. Yes, much of the year was pretty horrible, in large part thanks to the current inhabitant of the White House. But as the lists of achievements in the arts, music, and books can attest to–it wasn’t a completely angst-ridden year in the Northwest.
Top news stories in Cascadia
The Georgia Straight has a round-up of British Columbia’s most significant political news stories–from the BC legislative election to the Site C dam decision. The Portland Mercury sums of Oregon’s big news stories of 2017, from forest fires to new renters’ regulations. You can read the Seattle Times picks for most important news stories of 2017 here, ranging from homelessness to the resignation of mayor Ed Murray. Over at KUOW, sample a collection of photos that captured the joy and tragedy of the year, whether it was eclipse watching or the the repercussions of another police shooting.
The year in Cascadia arts
Oregon Arts Watch has a list of noteworthy performances and profiles related to music across Oregon last year, from classical to jazz. Meanwhile OPB’s “State of Wonder” arts show compiles its favorite arts stories throughout Oregon, from eclipse madness to interviews with Portland-based authors. If you’re looking for great selection of new music by Pacific Northwest bands, look no further than KEXP’s list of 50 notable albums from Cascadia in 2017, from Porter Ray to Shabazz Palaces. This is a really exhaustive list, and you could do worse than spend an afternoon sampling the tracks in here.
Paul Constant at the Seattle Review of Books rightfully hates the notion of “favorites,” but you really should check out his highlights from Northwest comics and graphic novels of the year, including Mita Mahato’s gorgeous book of poetry comics, In Between. Over at the Georgia Straight, staff writers recall the most memorable performances on stage in Vancouver in 2017, including music, theater, and dance. Looking to the future, City Arts magazine profiles Seattle creatives to keep an eye on in 2018 in everything from dance to film to visual art.
Well, that’s a wrap from Cascadia Daily in 2017. Have a very Happy New Year’s celebration, and look for more newsletters and the launch of Cascadia Magazine in 2018! ? –Andrew Engelson Photo credit: Shabazz Palaces album courtesy of Sub Pop Records.